HomePeopleCoast Guard to present Public Service Commendation to 11-year-old boy

Coast Guard to present Public Service Commendation to 11-year-old boy

Oct 27th, 2011 · Comments Off on Coast Guard to present Public Service Commendation to 11-year-old boy

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Coast Guard will present a Public Service Commendation to an 11-year-old boy at Coast Guard Station Georgetown, S.C., Friday.

Captain Michael F. White, Jr., commander, Coast Guard Sector Charleston will present a Public Service Commendation to Jon-Allen Carl, 11, who is cited for heroism and courage during a fishing trip with his father June 30, 2011.

While fishing for shrimp off the coast of Georgetown, the elder Carl’s hand was caught in a hydraulic winch used to haul shrimp nets aboard the boat. The winch severed Carl’s left arm between the elbow and shoulder.

Using their VHF-marine band radio, the elder Carl notified search and rescue controllers at Coast Guard Sector Charleston, via Channel 16, the international maritime distress frequency. Carl then passed the radio to his 11-year-old son who was able to pass critical information to Coast Guard watchstanders so that rescue crews could pinpoint the location of the fishing boat. Knowing that a fishing partner was nearby, the younger Carl started the engines and navigated the fishing vessel to the partner’s location. This decision enabled Joseph Carl, 45, to receive initial medical assistance until rescue crews arrived on scene. The younger Carl stayed in continuous contact with the Coast Guard, and despite little medical knowledge, he followed the Coast Guard flight surgeon’s instructions and his action prevented his father from bleeding to death.

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter crew from Air Facility Charleston arrived on scene shortly thereafter and transported the elder Carl to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

The ceremony will also recognize first responders, the helicopter rescue crew assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Savannah, Ga., Sector Charleston watchstanders and personnel from the Medical University of South Carolina.